Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Experimental mid-engine XP-819 Corvette heads to Amelia Island]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/17/experimental-mid-engine-xp-819-corvette-going-up-for-auction/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/17/experimental-mid-engine-xp-819-corvette-going-up-for-auction/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/17/experimental-mid-engine-xp-819-corvette-going-up-for-auction/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



It seems to be commonplace that when a new Corvette is in development, rumors swirl about a possible mid-engine layout. As is the case of Chevy's most recent C7 Corvette, these rumors never pan out.

In any case, the idea for a 'Vette with an engine mounted behind the driver can probably all be traced back to a single car, the 1964 XP-819 prototype. Built as an "engineering exercise" back in 1964, the prototype was designed with a rear-mounted engine. History tells us that the idea of a rear-engine Corvette fizzled, and the XP-819 was eventually cut up into pieces and stored at a shop in Daytona Beach, FL.

After sitting for untold years, a restoration project started on the car, and while it isn't yet fully completed, the current owner of the car, Mid America Motorworks, will have the car on display at the 2013 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance as a "driveable chassis" with hopes of having a fully completed car ready to bring to next year's show.

While we don't know many of the details behind this car, we can obviously see that it wears strong C3 styling details four years before the third-generation Corvette ever launched. We will be on hand at Amelia Island next month, so we'll bring you more coverage of this one-of-a-kind Corvette, but until then, check out the original images of the car above and the press release below.

Continue reading Experimental mid-engine XP-819 Corvette heads to Amelia Island

Experimental mid-engine XP-819 Corvette heads to Amelia Island originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1964 corvette xp-819amelia island 2013Amelia Island concoursAmelia Island Concours dElegancechevroletcorvettecorvette prototypecorvette xp-819Mid America Motorworksrear-engine corvettexp-819Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20462738/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/17/experimental-mid-engine-xp-819-corvette-going-up-for-auction/20462738/article-detail.xml 20462738 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/1964-chevrolet-corvette-xp-819_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/1964-chevrolet-corvette-xp-819.jpg <![CDATA[Mid America Motorworks celebrates two American icons at 18th annual Corvette Funfest]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/16/mid-america-motorworks-celebrates-two-american-icons-at-18th-ann/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/16/mid-america-motorworks-celebrates-two-american-icons-at-18th-ann/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/16/mid-america-motorworks-celebrates-two-american-icons-at-18th-ann/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

corvette funfest

Corvette savant Mike Yager is prepping his Effingham, Illinois-based Mid America Motorworks for a celebration of an American icon. On September 15, the doors to the 18th annual Corvette Funfest will open, and thousands of cars and people will descend upon the grassy destination. This is an important year for fans of the Bowtie brand because the automaker is about to celebrate its 100th birthday.

Oscar Meyer WienermobileAnother American icon has also reached a milestone this year. The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile turns 75 years old. Oddly enough, the Wienermobile shares a portion of General Motors history alongside the Corvette. Since 1969, the hot-dog-shaped vehicle has utilized a GM chassis, and the current Wienermobile is powered by a 6.0-liter Vortec V8 engine. The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is also making the trek to Effingham to join in on the Funfest activities.

While it's certainly an odd pairing, the Wienermobile and hordes of Chevrolet Corvette cars and fans will mingle under the Illinois sky. According to organizers, registration for the 2011 event is already 40 percent greater than Mid America Motorworks experienced for the 2010 Funfest.

Check out some photos from previous events in our gallery.

Continue reading Mid America Motorworks celebrates two American icons at 18th annual Corvette Funfest

Mid America Motorworks celebrates two American icons at 18th annual Corvette Funfest originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevrolet corvettecorvettecorvette funfestfunfestgeneral motorsgmmid americamid america motorworksmike yageroscar mayer weinermobileoscar meyervetteweinermobileFri, 16 Sep 2011 09:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20040619/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/16/mid-america-motorworks-celebrates-two-american-icons-at-18th-ann/20040619/article-detail.xml 20040619 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/roadtour-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/roadtour-628.jpg <![CDATA[Win a copy of the <i>Corvette Bible</i> signed by author Mike Yager]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/29/win-a-copy-of-the-corvette-bible-signed-by-author-mike-ya/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/29/win-a-copy-of-the-corvette-bible-signed-by-author-mike-ya/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/29/win-a-copy-of-the-corvette-bible-signed-by-author-mike-ya/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mike Yager, author of Corvette Bible

It's often said that you'll be happy if you find a way to do something you love. Mike Yager took that saying to heart. In 1970, at the age of 20, Yager went out and bought his first Corvette, a 1967 convertible. Four years later, Yager borrowed $500 to start up a small business selling parts manuals and accessories from the back of a car. That business, along with Yager's reputation, grew strong in the Corvette community. In 1976, Mike Yager made a life-changing move to turn this into his full-time job, and Mid America Motorworks was born.

Thirty-seven years after he borrowed those Benjamins, Yager has turned Mid America Motorworks into a company that ships over four million catalogs per year. And his collection of Corvettes has grown exponentially since he bought that '67 drop-top. Some standouts include CERV-1, XP-819 and a 1968 Le Mans Corvette that's painted Ferrari red and wears the prancing stallion on its front fenders.

It's not just Corvettes, however, as Yager also has a soft spot for old Volkswagens. He celebrates both makes at his annual Funfest events, one for VWs and one for the Corvette. The Funfest weekend has grown since the very first one took place back in 1994. In 2010, Mid America's 180+ acre Effingham, Illinois facility played host to over 17,000 cars and more than 45,000 people.

The man's knowledge of Corvettes is also freakishly extensive. Yager has applied it into a book called the Corvette Bible. In it, Yager delves into the details of every Corvette model produced since the first 300 rolled off an assembly line for the 1953 model year.

This isn't just a book for 'Vette collectors, however, because it's filled with amazing photography and a wealth of knowledge that makes an informative read for even casual Corvette fans. Now in it's second edition, the Corvette Bible covers cars right up to 2011. The first edition was good enough to earn a spot on the New York Times bestseller's list, so we think the second edition deserves a spot on your coffee table.

That's why we secured a signed copy to give away to one lucky reader. Leave a comment on this post to enter (only one comment or else you're disqualified), and we'll choose one lucky recipient for the win.

How to Enter:
  • Leave a single comment on this post (if you leave two or more, all of your entries will disqualified)
  • You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the U.S. or Canada (excluding Quebec)
  • Limit 1 entry per person during entry period
  • This entry period begins 7:30 PM EST on Friday, April 29 and ends at 7:30 PM EST on Sunday, May 1.
  • For a list of complete rules, click here
UPDATE: We have a winner! The signed copy of Corvette Bible goes to reader Mark Ockun. Thanks for all of your comments


Gallery: Mike Yager's Corvette Bible

Mike Yager's Corvette BibleMike Yager's Corvette BibleMike Yager's Corvette BibleMike Yager's Corvette BibleMike Yager's Corvette Bible

Photos copyright (C)2011 Jeff Glucker/AOL

Win a copy of the Corvette Bible signed by author Mike Yager originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletcorvettecorvette biblefeaturedfunfestmid america motorworksmike yagervolkswagenFri, 29 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19909584/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/29/win-a-copy-of-the-corvette-bible-signed-by-author-mike-ya/19909584/article-detail.xml 19909584 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/mike-and-ruby-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/mike-and-ruby-opt.jpg <![CDATA[MAM debuts ZR1 wheels for earlier Corvettes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/13/mam-debuts-zr1-wheels-for-earlier-corvettes/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/13/mam-debuts-zr1-wheels-for-earlier-corvettes/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/13/mam-debuts-zr1-wheels-for-earlier-corvettes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Mid-America has put C4, C5, and C6 Corvette owners twenty spokes closer to owning a ZR1. Anyone with a '97-'09 Vette can order the wheels in paired sizes in Chrome, Hyper Silver, Painted Black, and Black Chrome. They're $500 per pair and will ship in the New Year. Could be worth the wait for the Vette owner who (thinks he or she) has everything. You can read all about them in the press release after the jump and start your order with "Dear Santa..."

[Source: Mid America Motorworks]

Continue reading MAM debuts ZR1 wheels for earlier Corvettes

MAM debuts ZR1 wheels for earlier Corvettes originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's hard for us motor freaks to get into those Bike to Work or Walk to Work days. Sure, save the planet and all, but where's the fun? Here's the fun. Drive Your Corvette to Work Day. June 29, gas up that curvy Chevy and get down to the job site in style.

Mid America Motorworks started the special day seven years ago, which is appropriate considering their claim as the biggest Corvette parts supplier in the world. If true, it means they are probably responsible for a lot of those older Vettes being able to drive to work in the first place and will stand to gain some new customers when all those Vettes are out there getting attention. Genius!

"We understand why many owners consider their Corvette to be a special car and only drive it occasionally," said Mike Yager, founder of Mid America Motorworks, in a press release. "But we think driving your Corvette to work, at least one day a year, is an excellent way to demonstrate just how popular Corvettes are. And it is a chance for Corvette owners to meet new Corvette owners."

Instead of being driven to work on June 29th, we're wondering how many Corvettes get driven to the Apple Store.

[Source: Sports Car Market]

Don't forget, June 29 is Drive Your Vette to Work Day originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A more apt name was never applied than the moniker chosen for this SEMA-bound C6. The Outrageous C6 Corvette is a collaboration between Corvette aftermarket parts distributor Mid America Motorworks, its in-house brand of products and parts that goes by the name Performance Choice, Sony, and the designer of the vehicle, John Wargo of the Custom Shop. From what we gather, the outrageous project car was built to showcase the custom interior that uses Ostrich leather and Alcantara synthetic suede, two new products being offered by Performance Choice through MAM. But these companies know they'd get laughed out of Las Vegas if they showed up with a just a custom interior, so the Outrageous C6 lives up to its name by adding a Pro Charger supercharger and Corsa exhaust that kick the car's power output up to 650 hp, as well as 5,600 watts of Sony sound gear, a Le Mans wing and Lambo doors. The overall result is... interesting, and certainly outrageous. We could envision any number of NFL superstars proudly piloting this Vette to the stadium on any given Sunday, and it will surely fit in with the type of cars we expect to encounter at the SEMA show in a couple weeks.

Big high-resolution gallery of shots can be found after the jump...

[Source: Mid America Motorworks]

Continue reading Outrageous C6 Corvette set for SEMA debut

Outrageous C6 Corvette set for SEMA debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Oct 2006 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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